“They’ve never really given me any trouble,” midfielder Errol McConnell says about his semi-famous dreadlocks, “although earlier this year half of one was ripped out by an opposition player.”
When McConnell isn’t having his hair torn out by opponents, he’s the one bringing them down with tough tackles that he’s now renowned for. The 20-year-old is respected at Piranha Park for his toughness – he was honoured to win the Jeff Angwin Most Courageous Award in 2014 – but admits it just comes naturally.
“It is always something I focus on in games,” he says. “I think to lay a good tackle you have to attack the ball carrier with everything you’ve got and just have the right technique to not give a free kick away.”
McConnell is another success story of the strong Coburg-Calder relationship. He played junior football at Peter German’s old EDFL club Oak Park, and, after finishing his stint with the Cannons, was advised to join Coburg and hasn’t looked back.
“I’m enjoying my second year at Coburg,” McConnell says. “All the boys are very welcoming and some of the younger Cannons boys coming through, which is good to see.”
Despite the fitness setbacks than came with missing the 2015 pre-season due to injury, McConnell has played five senior games this season and believes that the club is reaping the rewards of a more talented list.
“It’s a lot tougher to get a senior game and then hold your spot because there are so many good players”, McConnell explains, “but it’s good because it lifts the intensity, and, when you’re fighting for a spot, you push each other and support each other on and off the field.
Normally used on the wing, McConnell has his sights set on becoming an inside midfielder but understands he needs to continue developing his game before he can make the switch. He lists adding more size to his frame, tidying up his ball handling and broadening his knowledge of stoppage plays as necessary improvements.
The Lions enjoyed a thrilling two-point win over the Northern Blues on Monday and subsequently jumped their Bell Street rivals on the ladder. Coburg now holds a 3-4 record this season and sits in 10th position – one win outside of the eight.
“It was an important win,” McConnell says. “We feel like we have been playing some good footy but just not getting the points so hopefully the win gives us the confidence to keep on winning.”
McConnell kicked the sealer against Casey last season and expects a challenge on Saturday – especially on the back of Coburg’s short turnaround after the Queen’s Birthday clash.
“We know it’s going to be a tough game. We’re coming off the five-day break and know it will be a high intensity game.”
“Casey will be wanting a bit of revenge as we got them both times last year so it should be a good game. I can’t wait.
